The U.S. Department of Justice announced today (Tuesday) that it will file indictments against Hamas leaders, including Sinwar and his associates, for their involvement in the October 7 attack on Israel, which led to the deaths of American citizens. The criminal complaint filed in the federal court in New York includes charges of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, resulting in death.
Attorney General Merrick Garland addressed the charges, stating: "The charges filed today are just one part of our effort to target every aspect of Hamas’s activities. These actions will not be our last."
He further added: "As described in our complaint, the defendants – armed with weapons and political support funded by the Iranian government and support from Hezbollah – led Hamas's efforts to destroy the State of Israel and murder civilians in support of this goal." Other Hamas leaders indicted include Haniyeh, who was eliminated in Iran; Marwan Issa, who assisted in planning last year’s attack; Khaled Meshaal, another deputy of Haniyeh and former group leader; Muhammad al-Masri and Ali Baraka. This decision by the U.S. Department of Justice marks the first legal action the U.S. has taken against the orchestrators of the attack on Israel.
The charges against Sinwar and the senior terrorist organization leaders include conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to murder American citizens, and conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction. The U.S. also accuses Hezbollah and Iran of providing financial and weapon support, including rockets, used in the attack.
Although Sinwar, who has been hiding in Gaza since the outbreak of the war, and Haniyeh, who was killed several weeks ago, will not be prosecuted, American officials, according to an AP report brought in Israel today, say that at least one individual, whose name was not disclosed, is expected to be brought to New York for trial.